In our April 28 edition, former Dundee resident Rob Boag sang the praises of the ‘legendary Alec Sharp’.
I printed a photo of Alec, and asked where he currently was.
However, the Alec in the photo was not the same one as mentioned by Rob, who now resides in Canada.
It would seem that, in Dundee junior football folklore, there are two Alec Sharps.
As usual, though, BwB readers were on the ball, and quick to spot the anomaly.
Regular contributor Jimmy Borland was first to get in touch.
“The Alec Sharp who Rob Boag is speaking about can’t be the same ‘Big Sharpie’ who played with Downfield and who is in the photo,” he offered.
“The player in the photo was at Stobswell secondary school with me and definitely not St John’s.
“He was brought up in the Fleming Gardens area of the city.”
Next to put me to rights was Alec Morris.
He said: “The Alec Sharp in the photo was definitely not at ‘The Johnnies’ as he attended Stobswell Secondary.
“I was his friend and he attended St Martin’s Primary School before going to Stobswell.
“Unfortunately, he is no longer with us as he passed away 14 years ago, aged just 62.
“He was working for Brown Construction at the time.”
Weavers Yard resident Alec (Morris) (76) continued: “Big Alec Sharp was with Butterburn Youth Club and played junior with clubs such as Alyth United, Downfield, Lochee Harp and Carnoustie Panmure.
“He also had a trial for Rangers and went down for a month’s trial with Cardiff City.
“He actually stayed for around six weeks with Cardiff.
“I remember when he came back, he said Cardiff wanted him to build up his physique as he had a ‘thin frame’.
“So he used to go to the chemist every week to buy malt, horrible tasting stuff.
“He was a brilliant player and definitely the best player from Dundee to never join the senior ranks!”
Alec (Morris) worked in the building trade before retiring.
I asked him about his football career, and he said: “I was at Butterburn Youth Club, too, and joined Kirrie Thistie juniors, playing with guys such as Billy Rice and Dennis Briggs.
“Brothers Watt and Pat Newton were also there at that time.
“I also had a spell with Maryfield United juveniles, playing alongside Gil Kerr and Jim Duffy.”
Dave Wilkie played with Alec Sharp (the one in the photo) at Downfield.
“He was a great player, very skilful,” said Dave, who played right-half in a very successful Spiders outfit for 14 years.
“One story I did hear about him concerned a trial with Rangers.
“He journeyed through on the train but arrived late.
“On arriving at the ground, they wouldn’t let him in and told him to turn around and go home.
“I’m not too sure this is 100% correct but that is what I heard around that time.”
David praised other great team-mates of that era such as Junior Buchanan, Brucie Reid, Davie Fisher, Bert Ireland, Ronnie Cargill and Alan Gorrie, among others.
He also stated: “Fine men ran the club, too, such as Alec Connelly and Willie Docherty.
“They were dedicated and honest and we all looked up to them.”
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